Background:
A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in
1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist
rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993.
President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001,
but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency
and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term.

Legal system:
based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:
17 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for
two more terms); election last held on 28-30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote -
James MICHEL 53.7%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 45.7%, Philippe BOULLE 0.6%; note - this
was the first election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was
originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE
stepped down in April 2004

Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members
elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning
at least 10% of the vote; members to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 10-12 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 56.2%, SNP 43.8%; seats by
party - SPPF 23, SNP 11

Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the
president

Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW]; People's Party (Parti Lepep)
or PL [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] (the governing party); Seychelles
National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO)

Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is
accredited to Seychelles

Flag description:
five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom)
radiating from the bottom of the hoist side; the oblique bands are meant to
symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future; blue represents sky and
sea, yellow the sun giving light and life, red the peoples' determination to
work for the future in unity and love, white social justice and harmony, green
the land and natural environment

Economy - Seychelles

Economy - overview:
Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago
has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence
level, moving the island into the upper-middle income group of countries. Growth
has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force
and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In
recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels
and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the
dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and
small-scale manufacturing. GDP grew about 7-8% per year in 2006-07, driven by
tourism and a boom in tourism-related construction. The Seychelles rupee was
allowed to depreciate in 2006 after being overvalued for years and fell by 10%
in the first 9 months of 2007. Despite these actions, the Seychelles economy has
struggled to maintain its gains and in 2008 suffered from food and oil price
shocks, a foreign exchange shortage, high inflation, large financing gaps, and
the global recession. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing
note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit
rating. Seychelles requested an IMF Stand-By Agreement in December 2008. In
2009, GDP fell nearly 9% due to declining tourism.

Broadcast media:
the government operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local
programming and airs broadcasts from international services; multi-channel cable
and satellite TV are available via subscription; the government operates 1 AM
and 1 FM radio station; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are
accessible in Victoria (2007)